Didn’t know Daihatsu ever sold cars here in the US.

Kinja'd!!! "Slant6" (slant-6)
03/30/2017 at 19:53 • Filed to: None

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Interesting.

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DISCUSSION (8)


Kinja'd!!! feather-throttle-not-hair > Slant6
03/30/2017 at 20:05

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I remember my friend in middle school’s mom had one. It was a little subcompact. If he came across a group of kids bragging about their parents cars he’d loudly proclaim “OH YEAH? WELL MY MOM DRIVES A DIAHATSU!” and then walk away.


Kinja'd!!! jimz > Slant6
03/30/2017 at 20:05

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Unfortunately the car the offered was named “Charade.”


Kinja'd!!! Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Slant6
03/30/2017 at 20:21

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They also sold the Charade, which was significantly more expensive than its competitors the Tercel, Spectrum/I-Mark, and Metro. Apparently it was a very high-quality car, but its cost and lack of dealer network led to it being a sales flop. This is, of course, before Toyota bought a controlling interest in it.

But it did get placement in a chase scene in the movie “ Problem Child .”

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Kinja'd!!! Probenja > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
03/30/2017 at 20:32

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Daihatsu’s are extremly tough cars, basically Toyota’s but even simpler! It’s really odd how the Charade was more than a Tercel in the US.


Kinja'd!!! Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Probenja
03/30/2017 at 20:34

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I think it had something to do with the Bubble, the Yen exchange, and the economy of scale.


Kinja'd!!! ranwhenparked > Slant6
03/30/2017 at 20:53

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Yeah, they sold two models here for about 15 minutes without much success, but I think the Rocky does have a loyal following. Charades are pretty close to extinct, I think there’s more Renault Encores still on the road than Daihatsus at this point.


Kinja'd!!! fintail > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
03/30/2017 at 21:00

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And a poorly chosen name. Charade - pretending to be a car? Doh!


Kinja'd!!! pip bip - choose Corrour > Slant6
03/31/2017 at 09:37

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i’m trying to think the last time i saw a Daihatsu here in OZ.